Made a very fruitful stop into Kathmandu a few months back as I was prepping for my first…read moretransatlantic trip with a baby. I came looking for a rucksack. I left with a suitcase with detachable rucksack (a suitcase that can be carried as a rucksack, with arm straps!) and a huge duffel bag to stow the carseat in. I thought the prices to be competitive (the duffel bag only £14!) and the service top notch. The guy helped me with everything, took it to the counter while I looked around, helped me with the Summit Club membership and packaged it all up smoothly so I could get it back to my flat. The Kathmandu items are high quality and have already made many trips. They are durable and sleek, and high performance. Just what I needed. The last thing you want to deal with while traveling (with a baby or not) is crap luggage. Summit club membership is free and gains you access to great deals (most of the deals advertised, so...if you want 'em, you'll sign up). Sign up!

I've always been a bit suspicious of Kathmandu-type stores, due to the fact that I'm the least…read moreoutdoorsy person you could come across. I always believe 'outdoor' stores were specially for extreme snowboarders or wannabe Nepalese-mountain climbers. Boy, was I wrong. Set right next to Spitalfields Market and boasting some rather fit staff, Kathmandu has everything for the civilian to adventurer. Water flasks, jackets, thermals, little key ring things with torches on them, it has it all. I actually found heaps of stuff I wanted to buy - probably more in the way you deck yourself out with designer gym wear after only one visit, to realise you're not quite the gym junkie you thought you would become if in fact you had the correct gear. It was fun anyway.

Well the name says it all for this place. Its got a lot more than one of the chain shops like…read moreMillets in my opinion and the staff are all really enthusiastic 'out door' types too so are more than happy to give some advice - not just on gear but on where to head for a good campsite. There's everything you need here from tents for festivals to hiking equipment. They also stock a small amount of skiing gear too as well as steel toe-cap boots and other work wear.

Campers Paradise seems to be a quintessentially British camping shop. It stocks all the regular…read moreequipment you're going to find yourself needing for, say, a trip to Wales. The selection is well balanced though a little limited, but they have made good use of the space they have by suspending a whole tent from the ceiling fully erect. The British nature of this place isn't just brought into place by the stock of two season sleeping bags and big bins of tent pegs, they also have buckets and spades, inflatable boats and flat caps. I suppose this isn't a bad idea with them being so close to the sea side but it did leave me wondering where the canvas deck chairs and knotted hankies were. The slightly odd selection of stock is definitely balanced out well by the great customer service. When I discovered this place today I entered into a discussion with the South African guy who works there about Swiss army knives and their virtues by comparison to the ever popular Leatherman tools. Not only did the guy clearly know what he was talking about but he was funny and great to chat to.

Army surplus shops are sadly a dying breed but this is a great survivor…read more It's small but they pack in loads of stock including new and surplus army gear (everything from jackets to gloves) as well as camping and outdoor equipment. They have a small but good range of boots. There's also a small counter selling army and camping knives and air rifles. Staff and knowledgeable and friendly. Recommended.

Attention ,march in and get your gear here! Many people do .read more

Large and well-stocked outdoors shop with decent prices. It's actually quite a large chain, owned…read moreby JD Sports, and sells a wide range of well known brands. This store is on the market square just behind the church. It runs the length of the block, and is the largest outdoor store in Kingston. It has a cafe and soft-play area inside. I was on the look-out for a specific knee-high mid-weight sock, which I've been looking for, for ages, and was delighted that they had it in stock. It'll be a regular calling point for me from now on. Reasonably friendly staff, though I only needed to speak to them at the till.

Outer wear for almost every purpose!…read more To shop here you do need a full wallet, but their range of gear is amazing and they have all the major names like Craghopper, Berghaus, Regatta etc. It's a large store so expect a wide range and have a good memory! Even the colour range is pretty expansive. They also do T shirts, not cheap, and flannel shirts, and thermals. I'd only ever go in a sale - but their stuff is quality.

I have shopped here quite a few times over the years for camping, skiing and walking gear. It can…read morebe a little pricey, but the range and quality is good. Helpful and knowledgeable staff are a real bonus especially if you're comparing products and trying to find the right item to do a specific job and dedicated car parking means you can always find a space.

It's a really weird place for an army surplus store, near all the big retail DIY places, but what…read morefun to look round! It's a bit daunting as a rather nosy female, as there are lots of military and tattooed types who look like they're supplying their own personal army, but it's well worth a look. If you're not familiar with surplus stores, they're basically leftover army kit being sold off cheap. It's usually really good quality, but not the most attractive (think green, sand and camo colours) or necessarily the most luxurious. If, for some reason, you like looking like a soldier, the clothes are really good. Incidentally, they're tough enough to be good for gardening and lots of outdoor sports. There's never much for women though. I find it most useful for getting outdoor equipment like drinks bottles and camping kit. It's all really tough and you know it'll do the job as people's lives depend on it. Have a browse on Ebay for army surplus if you want more of an idea what there is before you make the journey out to visit the store.

Just wanted to say how disappointed I am with this store. I personally haven't visited it but my…read morebrother has and bought some boots. When he got home he found they weren't a matching pair. He went back to the store and no exchange or refund was given so that was money wasted and someone else out there has an odd pair too! Not a good way to treat your customers.

I must admit, I always thought Cotswold Camping was a bit twee, a bit cheap and a bit middle-aged…read more How wrong I was. This is a big, modern store with clothes and equipment for people of all ages. I was very tempted by their women's clothing, which ranges from outdoor casual to normal casual. It's maybe not the best place for highly technical clothing, but it's great for general hanging around the park type clothing, and fantastic for entertaining bored friends who've been dragged along with no interest whatsoever in the outdoors. Sadly the prices are the same as those for more technical clothing, so I couldn't justify buying one of their pretty skirts. I went to look at tents. They've got a selection of all sorts from lightweight to giant family jobs (for the families of giants, of course), but not a huge amount in each category. There was a very helpful shop assistant who took me outside and helped me assemble 3 tents. He didn't know much more than me about them, but was very polite, honest and keen to help as we fumbled around in high winds. I was especially impressed as he didn't look older than 15.

From the owner: At the Bicester store we are keen to help a variety of people whether it be finding boots for…read moregeneral walks around the local area or preparing your kit for a trek up Kilimanjaro. Our staff will be with you every step of the way to help you find exactly what you're looking for and at the same time making you feel as comfortable as possible and offer varying knowledge from their own experiences. This store is set in a prominent position on the outskirts of the ever growing and developing market town of Bicester. Access is simple with direct access through to London and Birmingham and by passing hotspots such as Silverstone on the A43 and the Heritage Motor Centre, Junction 12 on the M40. There are regular direct links through to London and Oxford by train and coach. Parking is free and there is a selection of other shops available to satisfy your shopping needs including a delightful cafe and restaurant with an adjacent indoor play facility for the younger explorers.

This is the best place to go to if you're looking for high quality hiking gear. You can trust…read moreeverything you by from this shop - just ask for a bit of advice. The shop staff are highly knowledgeable and helpful but you'll be lost for awhile first in the treasure trove of hiking and climbing gear. Absolutely fantastic and worth every minute you spend in this shop.

A great place to buy your quality/premuim outdoor kit. If they don't have your required piece of…read morekit, they will happily find an alternative or order an item in for you. A very pleasant shopping experience, with some great advice (rather than sales talk). You don't need to be an adrenaline junky to shop there.

Excellent service! I had a query about a jacket, the sales…read moregirl was helpful and then referred me to the manager. Outstanding service from him. It's a pity all stores aren't as dedicated to such excellent service. A pleasure to shop there - top recomendation! Well deserving of 5 stars

These guys will tell you exactly what you need to know about what to buy to keep warm and dry when…read moreenjoying time outdoors either walking or camping. The staff have been techincally trained so they do know what they are talking about and don't just try to force the most expensive item on to you! They sell a range of tents, sleeping bags, waterproofs and waterproofing. It's worth a visit for things like BBQ gas and pen knives to. Reasonably priced do remember that they offer 10% discount for students (and also police/armed forces i think!) which makes them even better value.

This is a pretty good camping and activity store with a good range of products. Personally I find…read moreit a lot more spacious and attractive than Milletts (their closest competition) and the staff seem knowledgeable and friendly. The number of products they stock is actually really impressive, and given its convenient location on the upper level of Festival Place, I'd probably recommend this as the preferred camping shop of choice in Basingstoke.